Astra serpent plant

Astra Serpent Plant
The Astra Serpent Plant (Phalaenopsis sirtalis) is a carnivorous plant that preys on small insects and mammals, but mostly acknowledged as to digest small garden snakes. Recently discovered in the seclusion of the Ajehecha Tupì jungles by Norwegian botanist, Edvard Holm in February 2006, the Serpent Plant or the Kororó, which is the native and more common name known amongst the indigenous tribes people, Japojupi, that reside near Ajehecha Tupì jungle was brought back to Holm’s laboratory in Nordland, Norway to be further examined to be later discovered of the plant’s rare and fascinating characteristics, which are distantly related to its cousin the Venus Fly Trap.
Description
The physical characteristics of the Astra Serpent is that it comprises of a large dark green bulbous base with long leaves that are enveloped by a plethora of short stubby thorns that grow on the entirety of the leaves capacity and its base stem is located in deep inside the base of the main bulb of the Astra Serpent. It has minuscule resemblances to the Echinopsis Cacti and the Venus Fly Trap establishing this particular genus a rarity among the parts of Paraguay and other southern regions of Central America.
Research
Through Holm’s extensive and meticulous research on the Astra Serpent plant (named after Holm’s mother) many characteristics have been discovered on the secluded species. Located in the Paraguayan jungles it projects a sweet fragrance most of the year which is used as a luring device o attract its prey, like garter snakes who are highly drawn to the aromatic scent. This plant is categorized as a “winter solstice” plant as it is at its most vibrant and aromatic peak but when the summer or spring solstice arrives the plant engages in a “hibernation” and goes through several stages of its spring hibernation to rejuvenates itself and when the plant does engage in this stage it propels a revolting rotten smell, a stark contrast to its normal scent used most of the year, a defense mechanism to protect itself from potential predators who might possibly prey on the plant such as bigger animals or humans. As this genus was located in the jungle, it is deemed as a wild plant and is difficult to cultivate domestically due to the specific climate requirements and the plant’s unpredictable caring systems.
Trapping Mechanism
The Astra Serpent plant’s vices as to obtaining food and trapping its prey uses its fragrant scent to lure insects such as bees, who confuse the Astra Serpent’s scent for pollen. Its biggest and most difficult victims are the garter snakes, which are abundant in Central America especially in the Paraguayan jungles, are appealed by the Astra Serpent’s deep bowl-like base that the snakes use as shelter during the night. Incidentally the garter snake’s resting place is the Astra Serpent’s feasting ground as it devours anything that enters its base by enveloping the prey using its thorny leaves as a block way for the prey and waits until it dies from starvation and lack of oxygen.

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